Published on Transylvania County Schools | powered by schoolboard.net (https://transylvania.schoolboard.net)

Regular Meeting

Dates:

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 6:00pm

The Transylvania County Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Morris Education Center, 225 Rosenwald Lane, Brevard. The meeting is open to the public. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/tcsnc.

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I. OPENING OF MEETING

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Call to Order

Welcome

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II. BUSINESS ITEMS (including amendments and rescissions):

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01. Approval of Agenda

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

A motion is in order to approve or revise the agenda for January 21, 2025.

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02. Student Recognitions

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship	X	Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support

The board would like to recognize the following students for their outstanding achievements:

DECA

Five students from Brevard High School excelled in their respective categories at the recent DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) regional competition. DECA competitions test students’ academic knowledge in the areas of marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship. They also showcase students’ critical thinking skills, ability to communicate effectively, and ability to solve real-world business challenges. Congratulations to the following students for their achievements:

Kia Emaus -Highest score, Role Play, Principles of Business

Jana Cornett - Top five overall in Apparel and Accessories

Carter Powell - Highest score, Role Play, Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Cole Cubbison - Top five in Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Jack Friedman - Highest score on exam in Quick Service, Restaurant Management

Laura Smith, Teacher

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03. Good News Report

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators	X	Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

January is School Board Appreciation Month

January 2025 marks the 30^th anniversary of School Board Appreciation Month in North Carolina. School board members play a vital role in our communities and schools, contributing hundreds of hours each year toward the advancement of public education. As elected officials, they are tasked with the enormous job of governing school districts, and their actions and decisions affect the present and future lives of children in the schools. The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members spend in leading their districts. They attend seminars and training sessions to keep abreast of the latest trends in educational leadership; they are deeply involved in community activities; they visit schools and attend extracurricular events; and they spend a great deal of time listening to the concerns of staff, students, parents, and the public at large. We take this opportunity to thank our school board members for their hard work and commitment to improving outcomes for students at home and across the state. Thank you!

MLK Day, National Day of Service – January 20, 2025

The Martin Luther King holiday on January 20, 2025 also marks the 30^th anniversary as a National Day of Service. It was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities—it is a “Day On, Not a Day Off.” Our appreciation goes to the students, staff, and citizens who devoted January 20^th to helping improve their communities and commemorating Dr. King’s legacy as a leader and advocate for the betterment of all people.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – January 9, 2025

January 9^th was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and a time to honor the dedicated public servants who put their lives on the line daily for their communities. We are grateful for our strong partnerships with the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department, the Brevard Police Department, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and our School Resource Officers for all they do to keep our students, staff, and communities safe every day.

National Board Certifications

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) offers National Board Certification as a way to 1) recognize the accomplished teaching that occurs in North Carolina’s classrooms every day, 2) develop and retain accomplished teachers, and 3) generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. The certification process evaluates teaching practice through performance-based assessments and is based on rigorous standards that represent what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Teachers who earn the certification are eligible for significant pay increases. Congratulations to the following TCS educators who recently earned NBPTS certification or renewed their certifications:

New Certifications

Holly Egan – Multimedia Language Arts Teacher, Brevard Middle School

Cameron Weaver – Media Coordinator, Pisgah Forest Elementary School

Renewals

Heidi Bullock – AIG Specialist & Coordinator, Brevard High School

Emily Fields – 1^st Grade Teacher, Pisgah Forest Elementary School

Amy Galloway – Media Coordinator, Brevard Middle School

Kimberly Moore, 2^nd Grade Teacher, Pisgah Forest Elementary School

Leslie Taylor – OCS (Multi-Subject) Teacher, Brevard High School

Chris Whitlock is Western Region Technology Director of the Year

In recognition of his accomplishments as an education technology leader, the North Carolina Department of Digital Teaching and Learning has selected Transylvania County Schools IT Director Chris Whitlock as the Western Region Technology Director of the Year. This qualifies him as a finalist for the 2024-2025 North Carolina Technology Director of the Year Award. All regional nominees may submit nomination packets for the award and will be recognized at the Annual State Technology Directors Meeting on March 5, 2025. Congratulations, Mr. Whitlock!

Kindergarten Rally – April 3, 2025

Don’t forget that kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is right around the corner. A Kindergarten Rally will be held on Thursday, April 3, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Transylvania Parks & Recreation. Starting school is an exciting experience for young children and we want to be sure it is a positive one. All children who will be five (5) years old on or before August 31, 2025 are eligible to start kindergarten this fall.

Brevard High School 2024 Football Team

Congratulations to the Brevard High School football team for their outstanding season, sportsmanship, and achievement. After clinching the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference Title with a 5-0 record this fall, the Brevard High School Blue Devils continued to dominate, advancing all the way to the fifth round of the 2A NCHSAA State Playoffs. This is the first time the Blue Devils went this far in the playoffs since 1982, finishing in the top four in the state, and being named Western Region Runner Up. They are true winners!

For more good news from Transylvania County Schools, please visit us at:

Home Page: www.tcsnc.org ǀ Facebook: facebook.com/transylvania.schools

Twitter: twitter.com/transylvaniasch ǀ Flickr: flickr.com/tcsnc

Instagram: Instagram.com/transylvaniaschools ǀ YouTube: youtube.com/user/tcsnc

Smartphone App: Transylvania County Schools on Play Store and iTunes

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/transylvaniacountyschools ǀ WSQL Radio: bit.ly/TCSYesRadio!

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04. Consent Agenda

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The following items are submitted for consent approval:

Minutes (attached):

November 18, 2024 meeting
November 18, 2024 closed session
December 3, 2024 special meeting
December 16, 2024 meeting

Personnel report for January 21, 2025 (attached)
Appointment of Lisa Rogers as school treasurer at Pisgah Forest Elementary School, effective January 6, 2024, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 115C-448(a)
Applications for local CEU credit for board members attending the “School Board Member Rights and Responsibilities” training session presented by Board Attorney Chris Campbell on December 3, 2024 (see attached)

A motion is in order to approve the consent items.

Public Attachments:

Minutes 11-18-2024.pdf

Minutes 12-03-2024.pdf

Minutes 12-16-2024.pdf

Personnel Report 1-21-25.pdf

Application for Training Credit_TANYA DALTON_12-03-24.pdf

Application for Training Credit_CHRIS WIENER_12-03-24.pdf

Application for Training Credit_RUTH HARRIS_12-03-24.pdf

Application for Training Credit_GREG COCHRAN_12-03-24.pdf

Application for Training Credit_RICKY LAMBERT_12-03-24.pdf

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05. FY25 Budget Amendment

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Finance Officer Michelle Mullinax will present Budget Amendment No. 3 for fiscal year 2024-2025. The amendment and memorandum are attached.

A motion is in order to approve Budget Amendment No. 3 for FY25.

Public Attachments:

Budget Amendment #3_MEMORANDUM_1-21-25.pdf

Budget Amendment #3_1-21-25.pdf

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06. ATSI Plan Approval for BMS

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship	X	Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support

North Carolina's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan identifies schools for targeted support and improvement when schools have student subgroup(s) that are underperforming with one or more of the subgroups receiving an 'F' letter grade in the accountability system.

Audrey Reneau, Director of Federal Programs, will present the attached report showing that Brevard Middle School is a designated ATSI (Additional Targeted Supported and Improvement) school for the 24-25 school year. It is required that a plan be created with BMS and approved by the board to be submitted to DPI no later than January 30, 2025. Mrs. Reneau will review the plan for BMS and answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to approve the ATSI Plan for Brevard Middle School as presented.

Public Attachments:

ATSI BMS Report 2025.pdf

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07. Policy 4326, Random Drug Testing of Students

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion	X
Operations and Support	X

Board member Chris Wiener has requested that a subcommittee be formed to review policy 4326, Random Drug Testing of Students, and report its findings to the board. He is concerned that the policy may violate students’ rights. A copy of policy 4326 is attached.

The board may entertain a motion to form a subcommittee to review policy 4326 and report its findings to the board.

Public Attachments:

4326__Random Drug Testing of Students (12-18-17).pdf

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08. 41 Confederate Lane Property

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion	X
Operations and Support	X

At the December 16^th meeting, the board approved payment of the overdue tax bill for the 41 Confederate Lane property. The tax bill has now been paid in full. Dr. Fletcher reported that while the Planning Board had determined that it could not fund the cleanup of the property, they indicated that they would try to help find other sources of funding assistance if possible due to the importance of creating more teacher housing. The planning board discussed the property again at their meeting on December 19^th. Dr. Fletcher will give an update. The board may discuss next steps.

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09. Bond Project Management

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion	X
Operations and Support	X

At the December meeting, Dr. Fletcher reported that the county’s bond counsel has been working to draft an interlocal agreement between the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners for bond project management. A joint committee will be formed consisting of two members of both boards, the county manager and the superintendent. The joint committee will be considered a public body due to the advisory nature to the governing boards. The County Clerk and the Clerk to the Board of Education will coordinate management of the open meetings requirements such as scheduling, advertising, document minutes and retain records per statute. The committee will convene at the following milestones to advise the project process:

To interview final candidates for the project manager role
To review architect RFQs and recommend selections
To review changes in scope prior to bid
To review architect plans at 50% completion and prior to bid to assure that scope is within the project intent
To review any major modifications to the plans or scope during construction
To meet quarterly to receive updates on project progress

The board may appoint two members to serve on the joint committee.

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10. Facilities Update

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Facilities Director Kerry Putman will give an update on facilities projects.

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11. Important Dates

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Jan. 21	Second semester begins
Jan. 25	Miss Bengal Pageant	6:00 p.m.	RHS
Jan. 29-30	NCSBA CORE Training	Day 1: 9am – 5pm Day 2: 9am – 12pm	WRESA Office Asheville
Feb. 14	Noon dismissal – students
Feb. 17	Teacher workday
Feb. 17	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Mar. 17	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Mar. 20	Noon dismissal – students
Mar. 21	Annual leave day
Apr. 3	Kindergarten Rally	4-6 p.m.	Trans. Co. Parks & Recreation
Apr. 14-18	Spring Break
Apr. 21	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC

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12. Public Comment

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The Board of Education, as an elected representative body of the school system, wishes to provide a forum for citizens to express interests and concerns related to the school system. In order that the board may conduct an orderly meeting while providing an opportunity for input, individuals or groups may be heard by the board in accordance with policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings, or policy 2300, Board Meetings (subsection D.3).

Each month, a part of at least one regularly scheduled board meeting will be set aside for citizens to address the board through public comment. Board meetings, which include public comment, are a limited public forum. The board limits public comment to issues relevant to, and within the jurisdiction of, the Board of Education. The board will not discriminate based on the viewpoint expressed by speakers on permissible topics.

A sign-up sheet will be available 30 minutes before the meeting begins for any individual or group to indicate their desire to address the board.

Each speaker will receive three (3) minutes to present comments. Time will begin when the speaker reaches the podium. The public comment session will not exceed 30 minutes total except by majority vote of the board.

The board chair will recognize speakers in the order in which they signed in. Substitute speakers will not be permitted and speakers may not donate any portion of their time to another speaker. If a speaker is unable to present all of his or her information within the specified time limit, the speaker may provide the board with additional information in written form. If an unusually large number of people request to speak, a majority of the board may decide to reduce the time for each individual or to require the designation of a spokesperson for each group of persons supporting or opposing the same positions. At any time, the board may establish additional procedures to ensure that public comment sessions proceed in an efficient and orderly manner.

Public comment is not a time for dialogue between individuals and board members or amongst individuals. Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter. The board does not transact any official business during public comment.

Individualized personnel and student matters are confidential as provided in applicable federal and state law. Such matters are within the jurisdiction of the superintendent or designee to investigate and resolve or make recommendations to the board in accordance with law and board policy. In such matters, the Board of Education serves as an avenue for appeal and/or final decision in accordance with law and board policy. Therefore, public comment is not the appropriate forum for complaints related to identified school employees or students.

The superintendent or designee shall make available policy and other relevant grievance procedures to any individual or group wishing to submit a complaint regarding an identified school employee or student. In addition, nothing in policy prohibits the ability of a citizen to send the Board of Education comment in writing which may be maintained as confidential in accordance with applicable law. State and/or federal law may require disclosure of a written comment or complaint to any employee, student, or parent(s) of a student identified in the comment or complaint.

Except in cases of emergency, information received during presentations will not be acted upon at the time it is received. It will take unanimous vote of the board members present to act on a presentation considered to be of an unusual or emergency nature at the time it is presented.

Personal attacks on school employees or board members are prohibited and disruptions by any person or persons of a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with G.S. 143-318.17.

If the board does not hold a regular meeting during a month, the board will not provide a time for public comment at any other meeting held during that month, unless a majority of the board votes to allow public comment at the meeting or unless the purpose of the meeting is a public hearing.

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13. Other Items

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

An opportunity will be provided for comments and/or other items from board members.

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III. ADJOURNMENT

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Source URL: https://transylvania.schoolboard.net/node/6796